Jewelry bracelet catch

ABSTRACT

A jewelry bracelet catch of a type including first and second mutually engageable members, one of said members defining a recess into which at least a portion of the other may be positioned for non-rotational engagement, said first member defining the recess and having a pivotally mounted latch member, the second member having a planar surface, which in engaged condition is parallel to the plane of said latch member, and having depending from the plane thereof at least one angularly configured tab selectively engageable with said latch member. In one embodiment of the invention, the safety means is pivotally mounted on one of said members to prevent accidental movement of said pivotally mounted latch member.

United States Patent Shteinshleifer JEWELRY BRACELET CATCH [72] Inventor: Boris Shteinshleifer, 40 Elizabeth Street, New York, NY. 10013 [22] Filed: May 19, 1971 21 Appl. No.: 144,738

[ 1 July 18, 1972 3,562,878 2/ 1971 Shteinshleifer ..24/265 WS Primary Examiner-Donald A. Griffin Attorney-Charles E. Temko [57] ABSTRACT A jewelry bracelet catch of a type including first and second mutually engageable members, one of said members defining a recess into which at least a portion of the other may be positioned for non-rotational engagement, said first member defining the recess and having a pivotally mounted latch member, the second member having a planar surface, which in engaged condition is parallel to the plane of said latch member, and having depending from the plane thereof at least one angularly configured tab selectively engageable with said latch member. In one embodiment of the invention, the safety means is pivotally mounted on one of said members to prevent accidental movement of said pivotally mounted latch member.

3 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures Patented July 18, 1972 3,676,904

JEWELRY BRACELET CATCH This invention relates generally to the field of jewelry findings, and more particularly to an improved jewelry bracelet catch which in use may be substantially concealed from view, so that the ends of a band with which the catch is associated may be substantially abutted to provide an attractive appearance. Reference is made to my prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,562,878 dated Feb. 16, 1971, the present construction constituting an improvement thereover.

Particularly in the case of women's jewelry, such as watch bands, and bracelets, it is desirable to conceal as much as possible of the catch means from view, so as not to detract from the overall appearance of the article of jewelry with which it is used. While in the case of bracelets of relatively thick cross section, it is already known in the art to conceal interlocking catch members within the hollow portions of the cross section, many jewelry bands are not of hollow configuration, so that this incidental advantage is not available. in my above mentioned prior patent, there is disclosed a means for interlocking the free ends of a bracelet in abutted relation, in which the means itself is of relatively low physical height, thereby lending itself to ready concealment. While not without utility in the case of bracelets of relatively wide width in the order of one half inch to five eighths of an inch, difficulty has been encountered in manufacturing the device where the total permissable width is three-eighths of an inch and less, owing to the amount of space required for the provision of internal slots engaged by the pivotally mounted locking means. Since many items of womens jewelry are of such narrow width, the present construction is modified to permit incorporation into jewelry bands of such dimensions.

It is among the principal objects of the present invention to provide an improved jewelry bracelet catch having first and second mutally engageable members, in which the major por tions of the same are adapted to underly the under surface of a bracelet band, leaving only minimum portions of the same exposed to view.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved jewelry bracelet catch possessed of the above advantage which may be readily manipulated using the fingers of only a single hand of the user.

Still another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved jewelry catch which cannot be readily unintentionally opened from a locked condition.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of a jewelry bracelet catch which may be conveniently fabricated from metallic stampings, thereby simplifying manufacturing operations.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved catch possessed of the above advantages, in which the total cost of fabrication, when using precious metals, may be relatively low, and directly comparable with existing prior art devices, thereby permitting consequent wide sale, distribution and use.

These objects, as well as other incidental ends and advantages, will more fully appear during the progress of the following disclosure, and be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing, to which reference will be made in the specification, similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view in perspective of a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal central sectional view of the embodiment showing the component parts thereof in interconnected condition.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view in perspective of a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the component parts of the second embodiment in interconnected condition.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view in perspective showing a modified form of the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an alternate form of safety catch.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view in perspective showing a second alternate form of safety catch in installed condition upon any of the disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 8 is a view in perspective showing the safety catch of FIG. 7 in detached condition.

In accordance with the first embodiment of the invention, the device, and generally indicated by reference character 10, is illustrated in interconnected relation, as by soldering, with a band 11 forming part of an article of jewelry, the band 11 having first and second ends 12 and 13, respectively, which are selectively abuttable when the band is worn on the arm of a wearer. The ends 12 and 13 are connected to first and second mutually engageable elements 14 and 15, respectively, the first element 14 mounting a pivotally mounted locking means 16 in the form of a latch plate.

The first element 14, as has been mentioned, is preferably formed entirely from stamped parts, and includes a lower or base wall 18, first and second end walls 19 and 20, respective ly, and first and second side walls 21 and 22, respectively.

The base wall 18 includes a centrally located area 23 penetrated by a rivet 24 which pivotally mounts the locking means 16, and is bounded by side edges 25 and 26 which are interconnected to the side walls 21 and 22.

The first end wall 19 is bounded by a fold line 27, side edges 28 and 29, and an upper edge 30. The second end wall 20 is bounded by a fold line 31, side edges 32 and 33 and upper edge 34 which is positioned above the upper edge 30 a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the band 11 and outer surface 35 thereof is soldered or otherwise suitably interconnected to the end surface of the end 13 of the band 11 such that the upper surface of the band lies in the plane of the edge 34.

The side walls 21 and 22 are substantially identical, each being bounded by upper and lower edges 36 and 37, respectively, and end edges 38 and 39. An elongated slot 40 commences at a first terminal 41 adjacent the edge 39 and extends toward the end edge 38 to a second terminal 42 having a notch 43 extending transversely therefrom in the case of the side wall 22. This notch is absent in the case of the side wall 21.

The second element 15 may be formed from a single stamping, and includes first and second vertical walls 46 and 47 respectively, each interconnected to a base wall 48. The base wall 48 has struck therefrom a plurality of downwardly extending angularly configured tabs 49 and 50, each defining an interstice 51 for the engagement of a portion of the locking means 16.

The first vertical wall 46 is of a height corresponding to the recess formed in the first element 14, and is bounded by an upper fold line 54, side edges 55 and 56 and a lower free edge 57. The second vertical wall 48 is bounded by a lower fold edge 59, side edges 60 and 61 and a free upper edge 62.

The pivotally mounted member 16 is also made as a single stamping, and includes a central portion 65 from which first and second tabs 66 and 67 project to penetrate the elongated slots 40, the second tab 67 being capable of entering the detent notch 43 when moved to active condition. Each tab includes an edge as at 68 and 69 projectable into the interstice 51 of each of the tabs 49-50 to effect a locking action.

It will be observed that as contrasted with my above mentioned prior patent, the construction of the second element is materially simplified, and thus may be formed to include a substantially narrower width, without loss of mechanical strength.

Turning now to the second embodiment of the invention, generally indicated by reference characters 71, parts corresponding to those of the first embodiment have been designated by similar reference characters with the additional prefix l."

The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in being of still narrower configuration, and thus the second element 1 15 is provided with only a single locking tab 72, and the rivet 124 is offset from the longitudinal center line to make engagement of the same possible.

In the first alternate form of the second embodiment, (FIG. 5) generally indicated by reference character 75, a safety member 76 is pivotally mounted on on side of the element 114, and includes a lever 77 having a notch 78 engaging the exposed end 79 of the locking means.

In the second alternate form of the second embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, and generally designated by reference character 81, pivot means 82 is provided on an end wall 83 to support a locking member 84 having pivoted engaging means 85 on one end of an offset portion 86, and a rectilinear portion 87 having an opening 88 overlying the exposed portion of 89 of the projecting tab of the locking means.

In the third alternate form of the second embodiment, illus trated in FIGS. 7 and 8, and generally designated by reference character 91, a safety member 92 is supported by pivot means 93 on an end 94 of the bracelet by pivot tabs 95. Laterally extending tabs 96 engage either end of the first element 115, and the member 92 is provided with an opening 97 engaging the end 98 of the tab on the locking means. This type of safety construction is most secure, but is not as readily concealable as the forms 75 and 81.

I wish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention limited to the precise details of structure shown and set forth in this specification, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

I claim:

1. In a jewelry bracelet catch for use with an elongated band of a type including first and second mutually engageable elements, said first element including a base wall and a plurality of side walls defining a recess, said second element being of a configuration at least partially corresponding to that of said recess so as to be non-rotatably engageable with respect to said first element, and pivotal latching means for selectively interconnecting said first and second elements, the improvement comprising: said second element including a first base wall, a first end wall interconnected to said base wall at substantially right angles thereto, and a second oppositely disposed end wall interconnected to said base wall, said first element having first and second end walls corresponding in configuration and location to said first and second end walls on said second element such that upon mutual engagement of said first and second elements, said base wall is positioned above said latching means, there being at least one angularly configured tab extending outwardly of the plane of said base wall and lying in the path of pivotal movement of said latching means.

2. Structure in accordance with claim 1, further characterized in the provision of safety catch means for immobilizing said latching means in active position selectively engaged with said tab.

3. Structure in accordance with claim 2, said safety means including a pivotally mounted captivating member engaging an outwardly extending portion of said latching means. 

1. In a jewelry bracelet catch for use with an elongated band of a type including first and second mutually engageable elements, said first element including a base wall and a plurality of side walls defining a recess, said second element being of a configuration at least partially corresponding to that of said recess so as to be non-rotatably engageable with respect to said first element, and pivotal latching means for selectively interconnecting said first and second elements, the improvement comprising: said second element including a first base wall, a first end wall interconnected to said base wall at substantially right angles thereto, and a second oppositely disposed end wall interconnected to said base wall, said first element having first and second end walls corresponding in configuration and location to said first and second end walls on said second element such that upon mutual engagement of said first and second elements, said base wall is positioned above said latching means, there being at least one angularly configured tab extending outwardly of the plane of said base wall and lying in the path of pivotal movement of said latchinG means.
 2. Structure in accordance with claim 1, further characterized in the provision of safety catch means for immobilizing said latching means in active position selectively engaged with said tab.
 3. Structure in accordance with claim 2, said safety means including a pivotally mounted captivating member engaging an outwardly extending portion of said latching means. 